The Read Well Podcast

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The Read Well Podcast

Eddy Hood

113 episodes

4 days ago

In this episode I explain how John Locke created a system for indexing journals that looks clever at first but quickly becomes a burden. I also share why Ralph Waldo Emerson abandoned the method and point you to his essay Self-Reliance. The larger point is simple: if a journaling system is too complicated, you won’t use it. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 👋📚Help us open the bookstore by donating a few bucks at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edgewaterbook...

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Society & Culture,

All content for The Read Well Podcast is the property of Eddy Hood and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

In this episode I explain how John Locke created a system for indexing journals that looks clever at first but quickly becomes a burden. I also share why Ralph Waldo Emerson abandoned the method and point you to his essay Self-Reliance. The larger point is simple: if a journaling system is too complicated, you won’t use it. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 👋📚Help us open the bookstore by donating a few bucks at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edgewaterbook...

Show more...

Society & Culture,

Episodes (20/113)

The Read Well Podcast

3 Books That Changed My Perspective | EP102

I didn’t pick these books expecting them to shake up my perspective. But they did. In this episode, I walk through Working Days by John Steinbeck, The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne, and Cultish by Amanda Montell—three very different books that ended up revealing something essential about how we live, what we believe, and what we hide from ourselves. If you’re looking for thoughtful, honest reads that might nudge you toward new ways of seeing, this one’s for you. Send Me a Text Message with ...

6 days ago

10 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

How to Actually Remember the Books You Read | EP101

In this episode, I talk about why so many people forget what they read—and how I’ve changed my habits to remember the books that matter. It’s not a trick or a hack. It’s just a way of treating books like relationships. You can’t know someone after one dinner, and you can’t know a book after one reading. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - ...

1 week ago

8 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

11 Books for a Year of Deep Reading | EP100

This is episode 100 of The Read Well Podcast, and to mark the moment, I’m sharing the 11 books we’ll be reading together from June 2025 to June 2026 in season 3 of the Book Club. If you’re someone who wants to read more deeply, especially when it comes to philosophy and big ideas, I think you’ll want to see what’s on the list. I’ll also explain how to join us for book club—whether you want to talk, listen, or just read alongside a community. Join the Book Club Here: https://thereadwellpodcast...

1 month ago

19 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

Why I Quit Some Books (and You Should Too) | EP99

I read to spend time with people—fictional or not—that make me think, make me laugh, or just feel like good company. In this episode, I talk about why Less by Andrew Sean Greer worked for me, why Artemis by Andy Weir didn’t, and why I give every novel exactly 50 pages to win me over. This isn’t about snobbery—it’s about using your time wisely. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Le...

1 month ago

14 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

Want to Read Philosophy? Start with These 9 Easier Books | EP 98

Philosophy can feel like a foreign language at first. I used to struggle with it too—until I found the right books. In this episode, I walk through 9 books that helped me go from confused to curious, and eventually confident. If you’ve ever wanted to read philosophy but didn’t know where to begin, these titles will help you build that muscle. This isn’t about sounding smart—it’s about learning to think clearly. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Bookstor...

1 month ago

17 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

How Books Help Us Make Sense of Real Life | EP 97

In this episode, I sit down with Binnie Kirshenbaum to talk about her new novel, Counting Backwards—a story about love, aging, and the slow disappearance of memory. We talk about how books can help us wrestle with what it means to be human, and how reading deeply—without rushing—can be one of the most powerful ways to stay present in our own lives. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newslett...

2 months ago

43 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

How to Read Like a Novelist: An Interview with Best Selling Authors L.R. Lam, Andrea Stewart, and Piers Torday | EP 96

Writing a novel is a long road, and no one knows that better than Piers Torday, Andrea Stewart, and L.R. Lam. In this live interview, they share what writing looks like on a daily basis, how they help new writers at The Novelry, and how reading with a writer’s mind can change the way you experience books. I think you’ll find their insight helpful whether you’re working on a manuscript or just trying to understand your favorite novels more deeply. Interested in writing your own novel? Check ou...

2 months ago

49 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

Writing a Novel is Hard Work. Here's What I'm Learning | EP 95

I’ve started writing a novel—and it’s been draining in a way I didn’t expect. In this episode, I talk about the strange fatigue that comes with creative work and how I’ve learned to notice when I’m running low. I share what helps me recharge, including the kinds of books I turn to when I need my mind to come back to life. ☕️ Speaking of coffee, check out my life of incredible flavors at: https://edgewaterbookstore.com/collections/cafe Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT...

2 months ago

16 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

I Fixed My Handwriting—and My Reading Improved | EP 94

I tried to improve my handwriting because I couldn’t read my own notes. What I didn’t expect was that it would change how I read books. In this episode, I talk about how slowing down my writing helped me slow down my reading, how physical tension shows up in both, and how emotional baggage can get in the way of both writing and reading. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter fo...

3 months ago

22 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

The Difference Between Reading and Learning | EP 93

Reading isn’t enough. People love to say that books make you smarter, but that’s only true if you do something with what you read. In this episode, I’ll talk about how to read for knowledge in a way that actually improves your life. I’ll also share some key decisions I’ve made as a reader to sharpen my understanding, including lessons from my study of Macbeth. Interested in joining us for book club? Visit: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/ Send Me a Text Message with Your Q...

3 months ago

14 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

Is Classic Literature Worth Reading? | EP 92

In this episode, I talk about why classic literature is still worth reading, even in our busy lives. These books have lasted the test of time for a reason. They offer rich insights into the human experience, and I’ll show you how reading a novel like Jane Eyre can help you see life from new perspectives. You’ll find that classic literature is not just for scholars—it’s for anyone who wants to understand themselves and the world better. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINK...

3 months ago

16 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

6 Books That Helped Me Build a Daily Reading Habit | EP 91

Most people want to read more but struggle to stay consistent. I’ve been there. Over the years, I’ve learned a few simple ways to make reading part of my life without forcing it. I’ll share the strategies that worked, the six books that kept me hooked when my motivation dipped, and how to handle common mistakes—like getting stuck in books that feel impossible to finish. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/...

3 months ago

17 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

Read, Highlight, Apply: A Simple Strategy | EP 90

I’ve highlighted hundreds of passages in books I’ve read over the years, and for a long time, most of them just sat there. I never looked at them again. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how I fixed that—how I actually use my highlights to learn, remember, and apply what I read. If you’ve ever found yourself excited about a passage but unsure how to make it stick, this episode is for you. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https:/...

4 months ago

17 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

What Shakespeare’s Henry V Teaches About Reading Deeply | EP 89

Shakespeare’s Henry V opens with an unusual request: The Chorus begs the audience to use their imagination because the play can’t capture the full scale of the story. That’s Shakespeare admitting something every reader should remember—fiction alone isn’t enough. In this episode, I explore why even the greatest writer of all time asked his audience to fill in the gaps and why doing the same will make your reading sessions far more rewarding. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT...

4 months ago

15 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

Do You Forget Books? Try This When You Read | EP 88

If you feel like you forget books as soon as you finish them, you're not alone. Most people never move beyond basic comprehension when they read. In this episode, I break down the four levels of reading, how to work through a book more effectively, and why deeper comprehension matters. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.therea...

4 months ago

30 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

When Reading FEELS Overwhelming | EP 87

Sometimes, reading feels overwhelming. It’s normal to have feelings of self-doubt and overwhelm when it comes to reading books. Today I’m sharing with you how I tackle these feelings so that they don’t derail me from my reading sessions. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The R...

4 months ago

14 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

How to Read Books Without Feeling Overwhelmed | EP 86

Reading more books isn’t just about time—it’s about making better choices. I’ll explain why it’s okay to stop reading books you don’t love, how to handle a book when it gets boring, and how to find books that match your goals and interests. Let’s make reading enjoyable again. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodca...

5 months ago

12 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

Plato's Euthyphro Rocks. Here's Why! | EP 85

In this video, I dive into Plato's Euthyphro and explore its famous dilemma: Are moral laws good because God commands them, or does God command them because they are good? Reflecting on my time as a Mormon, I apply this question to one seemingly simple rule: Why can’t Mormons drink coffee? Join me as I philosophize through faith, culture, and coffee.Read the Euthyphro by Plato for Free at: https://www.platonicfoundation.org/translation/euthyphro/Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions...

5 months ago

42 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

Do I Read Multiple Books at the Same Time? | EP 84

Ever wondered if you can read multiple books at once without losing focus? In this video, I share my personal reading routine and answer a community question about balancing books for study, enjoyment, and discussion. Learn how to follow your curiosity, understand your limits as a reader, and build habits that keep you engaged in every book you pick up. You'll discover: How I study non-fiction in the morning.Why I save fiction for nighttime relaxation.How I approach my book club rea...

5 months ago

12 minutes

The Read Well Podcast

Why Flowers for Algernon Was My Favorite Book of 2024 | EP 83

Flowers for Algernon is a book I believe everyone should read. In this episode, I discuss the major themes of the novel and why it became my favorite read of 2024. With Dr. Martin Jacobsen’s help, we examine the ethical and emotional questions the book raises and offer strategies for navigating its deeper ideas. If you're looking for a meaningful story that will leave a lasting impression, this episode is for you. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions IMPORTANT LINKS: 🛍️ - Visit my Books...

5 months ago

1 hour